India win by an innings to clinch series

Members of Indian cricket team pose with the trophy after winning their third test match and the series against New Zealand in Nagpur. Photo: Reuters

India sailed to a magnificent victory against New Zealand on Tuesday winning by an innings and 198 runs, on the fourth day of the final test in Nagpur. The win gives them a 1-0 series victory as well.

After setting New Zealand a target of 373 on day three to avoid an innings defeat, the Indian bowlers made easy work of the Kiwis, wrapping matters within half-an-hour post lunch. Harbhajan Singh, Ishant Sharma, Pragyan Ojha and Suresh Raina were amongst the wickets as they restricted New Zealand to 175.

It was Ojha who started things off for India, trapping McCullum (25) leg before wicket (lbw) with a straight delivery in a pitch that had a lot of turn. MJ Guptill was his next victim, given lbw though the delivery pitched outside the leg stump before getting off the mark.

Harbhajan Singh came on to dismiss nightwatchman Gareth Hopkins (8) assisted by a stunning catch from close-in fielder Gautam Gambhir.

Ross Taylor then decided to take matters into his own hands. He attempted shots, moving across and swinging his bat around. He had made 29 when he walked back laughing in disbelief after he was given caught bat-pad off a Harbajhan delivery though replays showed it had cleared missed the bat.

Suresh Raina got into the act and dismissed Ryder (22) before he trapped Kiwi's skipper Vettori with a straight delivery for his second wicket. Sandwiched between Raina's wickets, Ishant Sharma bowled out youngster Kane Williamson for 8.

Vettori was the last man to fall before lunch. New Zealand had crumbled from 24-1 to 124-8 during the morning session.

Post lunch Tim Southee (31) and Andy McKay (20 not out) stitched together a stand of 51, including three sixes. However, Ishant bowled Southee and Chris Martin with consecutive deliveries to wrap up proceedings at Nagpur giving India a win by an innings and 198 runs - their third biggest test win.

Rahul Dravid was adjudged man of the match for his magnificent 191 in the first innings and Harbhajan Singh picked up the player of the series award for scoring 315 runs with the bat, which included two centuries, and for grabbing 10 wickets.